PHOTO GALLERY ()

2009 Jeepers Jamboree

The Rubicon Trail traverses some of the most ruggedly majestic backcountry in the western United States. Covering some 17 miles of California's scenic Sierra Nevada mountain range, the Rubicon is considered the "Granddaddy" of all established jeep trails. Jeepers Jamboree is a privately funded enterprise that organizes three annual trips over the 'Con per year. Each trip makes participation fun for everyone, whether you are an experienced jeeper or a nervous first-timer. Thanks to a whole assortment of conveniences that simply would not be possible without the 74 individuals who make up the Jamboree staff, every participant gets the royal treatment. Luxuries such as a standby mechanic crew, experienced trail spotters, three hot meals per day, live music, and a full bar provide a camp-out experience that is second to none.

This immaculate '06 Jeep TJ Unlimited was built by Vince Products in Lodi, California. We were surprised to see it running the Rubicon Trail as its maiden voyage. Loaded with trail-proven amenities, this Jeep was among the nicest we witnessed during our four-day trek. It takes a lot of confidence to run this trail in an untested rig such as this. Fortunately, its owner experienced only minor difficulties during Jamboree-a testament to high build quality.

This year, we tagged along with a group of friends that made the trek for the very first time. Each vehicle in our group was well equipped for the many challenging obstacles the Rubicon had to offer, but nobody fully understood the level of hospitality that was in store for us once we arrived at Rubicon Springs. Once there, we were treated to 85-degree summer days, with plenty of space to stretch out and relax among friends in the many pools of the crystal-clear Rubicon River-truly the perfect venue to forget about the rest of the world. Each day our agenda remained stress-free, with ample opportunity for activities such as fishing, hiking, swimming, and even helicopter tours of the surrounding area. On Saturday morning, a sizable vendor show gave Jeepers the opportunity to see some of the aftermarket's latest offerings. Overall, the four-day trip was everything we expected and more. Check out some of the highlights we captured with our lenses.